BUTTE VALLEY — Cultural connections, economic impacts and social stereotypes were among the subjects explored by a panel of six Butte College professors Thursday afternoon, during an event centering around the Book in Common program.

“Three Cups of Tea,” by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, was adopted as a community Book in Common for the year by the cities of Chico and Oroville, Chico State University, Butte College, the Butte County Library and other community organizations, with events planned throughout the year until Mortenson’s scheduled appearance at Laxson Auditorium in April.

Tom Grothe, an instructor in international communications, gave a brief synopsis of the book, which tells the story of Mortenson’s mission to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan after failing to reach summit at K2, the world’s second highest mountain.

To date, he has built more than 55 schools in remote, rural villages and he continues to raise funds as founder of the Central Asia Institute.

Grothe read a section from the book that recounts Mortenson learning the significance of taking the time to share three cups of tea with his host. Grothe explained that it illustrated what happens when outcome-oriented Americanism butts up against relationship-oriented, and slow-moving Pakistani culture.

The book challenges readers to question stereotypes, he elaborated.

“It’s people like Mortenson who won’t let us stereotype.”

Jay Goldberg, who teaches English as a second language, talked about language barriers and how Mortenson could understand the people in that part of Pakistan because he lived in their culture and learned their language.

Angela Kraemer, an English instructor, showed off a traditional dress from Saudi Arabia and compared traditions from that culture to Pakistani traditions that appear in Mortenson’s story, such as the way guests are considered sacred people.

“It’s absolutely essential to accept at least two cups of coffee (in Saudi Arabia) … and you never refuse,” she explained.

“Like Mortenson, I was a stranger, but I never felt like an outsider.”

Sociology teacher Julie Withers related how Mortenson’s effort to build schools in developing countries, especially those for girls, is vital to break a cycle of poverty.

The global education of women, she explained, effects more change in a nation’s economic success than any other improvement, and has made headway against malnutrition, infant mortality, disease and other maladies.

Economics instructor Steve Price stated small investments to support small businesses, such as the Pennies for Peace program that Mortenson promotes, have proven to be successful methods for growing the economies of developing countries.

Maria Shahid, a Spanish teacher, wore a flowing garment she said was typical of the area around Korphe, Pakistan, where Mortenson built his first school. She explained that she came to the United States from Mexico and married a man from Pakistan.

“We’re living in a house with three cultures, three languages and three religions,” she said. “It takes a lot of respect.”

She read passages from Mortenson’s book and concluded that his success came about because of the respect he showed for the Pakistan culture and people.

At the back of the conference room at the Butte College library, a jar welcomed donations to the Pennies for Peace drive, with hopes that the organizations participating in the Book in Common program will be able to raise enough money by April to present Mortenson with funds for one more school.

The next few events planned include the following:

A lecture on “Restorative Justice: A New Paradigm for Social Transformation,” by Azim Khamisa at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Room 134 of Chico State University’s Performing Arts Center